Thomas Cook effectively cancelling my summer holiday - advice needed

pompeyrich

SarahMcA wrote: »

I booked a small quiet resort in Corfu staying close to some friends who are about 10k up the coast. I don't want to go to Marmaris. I don't want to go to Turkey. I can't remember the name of the accommodation but it was big and I don't want to pay to go somewhere a) I don't want to go and b) I don't want to stay. It was nothing like "like for like" and they only begrudgingly said they would look for somewhere when I complained and said they had to! I'm just unhappy.... but thank you!

I fully sympathise, very disappointing to look forward to the "perfect" holiday only to be let down. Surely there must be an alternative hotel on Corfu with availability for your dates, why are they suggesting Marmaris?

balletshoes

OP have you looked yourself for availability, somewhere you do want to be? It may not be exactly what you'd booked, but if its the difference between having a holiday and not having one at all (as you've said) couldn't you suggest some alternatives to Thomas Cook?

or - have you looked at doing it DIY if you opt for the full refund from Thomas Cook? I haven't done a package holiday to a sunshine destination for about a decade, its always cheaper doing it myself.

I'm sure if you post which dates, which airports you can fly from, and which resort/s you'd consider, MSE'ers would help you find something suitable in your price range (£425 each for 2 weeks in Corfu sounds totally do-able to me)

interstellaflyer

pompeyrich wrote: »

why are they suggesting Marmaris?

Availability I would imagine, probably under booked. Might be worth contacting the hotel in Corfu and getting their side of the story.

toms_3

We have had a similar issue

We booked a summer holiday in Jan with Thomas Cook. Paid the balance IN FULL at the end of April and then 10 days later got a letter stating the hotel was over booked and they were moving us. They want to move us to a worse hotel and have only offered us £200 back. Its a con.

They will not move nor negotiate. Basically its their "business decision" that a 4* (the level we booked) and a 3* (what we have been offered) are the SAME? They will not accept that prices are higher now and are financially disadvantaging by asking us to find another holiday at May prices.

The press is full of stories about how Thomas Cook is turning itself around. It seems that they are turning themselves around by overbooking and disadvantaging their customers. We certainly will never book with them again.

I have tried to get through to Jeff Prestridge at the Daily Mail as he will sometimes take up these stories perhaps this poster could do the same? There must be lots of us out there that have had this done to them? Its unfair and against the Unfair Trading Regualtions Act 2008 (the ABTA site is really useful!)

So beware Thomas Cook!

Archergirl

Do Thomas Cook have a Facebook page? Sometimes you can get answers there apperently.

SarahMcA

have finally spoken to them again and they can offer me nothing as everything is too expensive quelle suprise! I am therefore still going to be asking for proof regarding contractual issues and statistical information about people affected, outcomes, dates etc. It it is easy to hide behind T&Cs but I shall ensure they do have to answer for their lack of customer service. I have posted once on their fb page and shall continue to do so! I am now going to seek out wine! Thank you

photome

SarahMcA wrote: »

have finally spoken to them again and they can offer me nothing as everything is too expensive quelle suprise! I am therefore still going to be asking for proof regarding contractual issues and statistical information about people affected, outcomes, dates etc. It it is easy to hide behind T&Cs but I shall ensure they do have to answer for their lack of customer service. I have posted once on their fb page and shall continue to do so! I am now going to seek out wine! Thank you

If the hotel isnt available and was outside TC control, I am not sure what you expect them to do, guess you could try and get them to up their offer of £50 a head extra

It must be horrible to be in your situation but have you done as others have suggested and tried to price up a DIY holiday to the same area, you never know you might even save some monney

tomtontom

You don't seem to be helping yourself here - forget 'statistical information', that is not going to get you a new holiday. As suggested you need to be looking for another package or putting together the elements yourself, then you can go to TC and either come to a compromise on price or request a refund.

callum9999

photome wrote: »

If the hotel isnt available and was outside TC control, I am not sure what you expect them to do, guess you could try and get them to up their offer of £50 a head extra

It must be horrible to be in your situation but have you done as others have suggested and tried to price up a DIY holiday to the same area, you never know you might even save some monney

Is there any reason why you keep feigning shock that someone could expect to buy a holiday and be provided with that holiday? I'm sure, like most normal people, the OP would expect them to move them to a similar hotel on the same island, not 500 miles away in a country with a radically different atmosphere and culture.

You're quite right of course that if the t&cs the OP agreed to allow Thomas Cook to do this then they have little right to redress, but acting like they are asking too much of Thomas Cook to provide what they sold them is hardly necessary.

I do agree with you and the other person who suggested making a DIY holiday though.

photome

callum9999 wrote: »

Is there any reason why you keep feigning shock that someone could expect to buy a holiday and be provided with that holiday? I'm sure, like most normal people, the OP would expect them to move them to a similar hotel on the same island, not 500 miles away in a country with a radically different atmosphere and culture.

You're quite right of course that if the t&cs the OP agreed to allow Thomas Cook to do this then they have little right to redress, but acting like they are asking too much of Thomas Cook to provide what they sold them is hardly necessary.

I do agree with you and the other person who suggested making a DIY holiday though.

I didnt know I was feigning shock.

Of course I would expect a holiday or a refund. OP has been offered a refund

If the hotel isnt available they cant provide what was paid for and if the only alternative in the same vicinity costs twice as much, do you think TC should cover the cost?

It would be great if they did but I just dont see it